WASHINGTON

A group of Democratic lawmakers was blocked from entering the US Education Department building in Washington, DC on Friday amid row over potential spending cuts.

Among those attempting to enter the building were Representatives Maxwell Alejandro Frost and Maxine Waters, who were stopped by security at the entrance.

The move comes amid reports that the Trump administration is considering executive action to dismantle the department and exploring budget cuts to the programs and staff at the agency.

Speaking outside the department, Frost criticized the move.

"We're here to go to the Department of Education and they have locked the doors ... A year ago, I'd be able to walk into this building and now are locked out. Elon (Musk) is allowed in, but not you, nor your elected Representatives," he said in a video posted on X.

There was no immediate comment from the department.

Actions this week by Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – an unofficial initiative to slim down the government – including accessing potentially sensitive government computer servers, have attracted growing criticism this week, with Democratic lawmakers saying he lacks the authorization to do so.